Top 10 Overall Game Developers of 2007
If you’re interested in knowing where these numbers come from, please read the Research Intro. This set of results was compiled by querying the average of the metascores for all the games released in 2007 by each developer. In this way, a studio that releases many games of varying quality is rated lower than a developer who releases only consistently high quality titles. The only executive decision I’ve applied is to ignore expansion packs, only original titles are considered.
10. Insomniac Games - average score: 89
Insomniac starts things off at number ten with their latest title in the series, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. Insomniac has a long history of producing high quality Playstation titles, and this is no exception, not only is Tools of Destruction widely regarded as the best game in the series, but also the best PS3 game currently available.
9. Massive Entertainment - average score: 89
Massive Entertainment’s World in Conflict was somewhat overlooked in the gaming press under the shadow of all the major releases this fall. Nevertheless, WiC adds another significant entry into the list of Real-Time Tactical games available for PC, and Massive gets a chip on their shoulder.
8. Retro Studios - average score: 90
The long awaited conclusion to the Metroid Prime series saw its release this summer from Retro Studios. One of the finest games currently available on the Wii, not only did Retro Studios bring Samus Aran to the latest of Nintendo’s platforms for the first time, but after the disaster that is Red Steel, they demonstrated that the Wii makes a very servicable platform for First-Person Shooters.
7. Microsoft Game Studios - Turn 10 Interactive - average score: 90
While I was interning at Microsoft this past fall, I had the opportunity to talk to several of the folks at Turn 10 and had a look around their office. I must say that with the passion that team has for their games, it doesn’t shock me at all to see them in the top ten. Forza Motorsport 2 is easily the best racing game currently available for the Xbox 360, and gives the Grand Turismo series on Playstation a run for its money. I don’t expect to see it displaced until the inevitable release of Forza 3.
6. Sports Interactive - average score: 91
This one was surprise to me. Sports Interactive was the developer of two Fantasy Sports Manager style games for the PC this year. The more popular of the two - Out of the Park Baseball 2007, received a whopping score of 96. If not for the less excellent although still very good score of 86 for Football Manager 2008, Sports Interactive would have been tied for first place.
5. Crytek - average score: 91
As much a tech demo of the CryENGINE as it is a game, 2007 heralded in a new era of physics with Crytek’s Crysis. While there is not yet home computer capable of pushing this game to its limits, it sure is pretty.
4. Valve Software - average score: 91
2007 saw the release of “The Orange Box”, an oddly named compilation of 5 first class games: Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2 Episode 1, Half-Life 2 Episode 2, Team Fortress Classic, and Portal. Portal on its own currently sustains a metascore of 90, and is personally in a toss-up for me as the best game of the year. Valve, as a non-publicly traded company, has the luxury of taking its time to produce titles, to get them right, and have yet to release a single game with a metascore less than 90, ever.
3. SCE Santa Monica - average score: 93
With all the excitement that’s been going on in the last few months, it’s easy to forget the sequel to 2005’s action title of the year. God of War 2, released only for last generation technology delivers Kratos in another over the top gore and boobies fest. SCE Santa Monica shows that you don’t need to use modern technology to make one of the most critically acclaimed titles of the year.
2. Infinity Ward - average score: 93.7
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare launches in November on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3. Players eager for yet another WW2 combat simulator are overjoyed when CoD4 wins top awards as the best multi-player game of the year. Sorry Halo.
1. 2K Boston / 2K Australia - average score: 96
This team should come as no surprise. Bioshock, released on August 21st had high expectations as the spiritual successor to one of the most critically acclaimed series of all time - System Shock. Bioshock delivers in spades in this unique Randian thriller under the sea, and 2K takes home top prize.